Monday, 5 March 2018

Book Review | Sunshine And Secrets

When newly heartbroken, michelin-starred chef Millie Harper is offered a job overseeing the setup of The Paradise Cookery School she jumps at the opportunity. Leaving London and her memories of heartbreak behind she hops on a plane to the hilltop cocoa plantation in St Lucia.

But this beautiful island break might be more work than she’d expected…. With only two weeks to have the kitchen installed, cocoa pods going missing from the plantation and the notoriously relaxed island workmen to contend with, she’s going to need some help. Gruff but charming estate manager Zach Baxter, is only too happy to offer his opinions. As the two clash heads can they remain focussed on the job in hand and get the cookery school finished in time?

Review

Every foodie's idea of a heavenly book - which isn't a cookery book.

Sunshine & Secrets is set in the stunning location of St Lucia, in a property with sweeping views and a kitchen to die for. The prospect of building work and lazy builders ( familiar to many of us in the UK ) deigns the lives of Ella, Millie and Zach, making them worry that the build won't be finished before the start of the planned cookery course in a fortnight.

Menu planning for the upcoming course is great fun with lots of new flavours for Millie to try, plus way too much of a special drink which has effects too worse for wear.

Behind the scenes there is something odd going with some crates of cocoa round the back of the property. Millie and Zach are on the case but what is the secret?

The overall storyline of Sunshine & Secrets has a good pace and flows throughout the chapters. There are many, many, dishes of michelin style food ( a lot of which I had to look up ) which will make you hungry just reading the book. This is definitely a book that would accompany a taste equivalent to the old smellovision gadget.

Sunshine & Secrets has been a joy to read and I think I've picked up some handy cooking hints, mainly how I want my ideal kitchen to look. An easy five stars and a hearty recommendation to anyone who really loves food. Plus if you still have room for more, Spring At Lavender Bay by Sarah Bennett also has an inviting food background.